Oct 14
2007

Go to any grade school or high school sporting event! ake a peek at the sideline bench and note how many inhalers you see. Did you know that the number one reason children miss school is asthma? Why the explosion of asthma and respiratory problems in children?

4 Reasons Respiratory Problems are on the Rise!

1) Couch Potato Generation kids weigh more, exercise less and spend more time indoors.
2) Too much antibiotic use – Immune systems never get much opportunity to fight infections, and then react abnormally to airborne contaminants.
3) Air Pollution Pollution does not cause asthma but can be a trigger for an attack. Cars and factories now have stricter controls on emissions but the problem is still there.
4) Indoor Air Pollution 20 years ago no one ever heard of Indoor Pollution! Since the Energy Crisis in the 70s, buildings became more energy efficient. This meant all pollutants became trapped inside. Many of the items we furnish our home and school with are outgassing contaminants continually. Carpeting, curtains, cleaning products, particle board furniture and more! With people spending 90-% of their days indoors, this becomes a problem!

4 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Kids from Allergy & Asthma Reactions!

1) Watch for days when pollen counts are high and restrict vigorous exercise on hot days.
2) Avoid Wood Stoves and fireplaces in the home and NEVER allow smoking in the home of an asthmatic.
3) Keep pets out of the bedrooms.
4) Make sure kitchen, bathrooms, and basement are well ventilated to cut down on mold in humidity.
5) Put pillows and mattresses in allergen-impermeable covers to cut down exposure to dust mites.
6) Use non-toxic cleaning products and avoid perfumes and scented products.
7) A filter-less air purifier is highly recommended since a filter can only capture a small portion of allergens.

About the Author

To learn more about products for a healthier indoor environment, please visit my website at www.myhealthysolutions.com or register here for my bi-weekly issue of The Achoo Reviewan online newsletter to help you and your family with allergies and asthma.

Deborah Mumm has been an Indoor Environmental Consultant for 7 years. She has helped hundreds of people with her tips and healthy products. http://www.myhealthysolutions.com

Written By: Deborah Mumm

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May 11
2007

So you have asthma? Think you can’t exercise safely? Read on, my friend, and discover how you *can* do so safely and how your body will benefit from the exertion!

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is marked by the following characteristics that are present during episodes of airflow obstruction:

Coughing Wheezing Shortness of breath Chest tightness

It tends to occur in people who are genetically or environmentally presdisposed to the condition. Some of the triggers that might start or make an attack worse include:

Exposure to allergens (animal dander, pollen, mold) Viral respiratory infections Airway irritants (tobacco smoke, environmental pollutants) Exercise Exposure to things such as dust mites or cockroaches, especially in childhood

Medical treatments for asthma include:

Anti-inflammatory agents (inhaled and pill-formed steroids) Broncodilators

If the patient can manage his/her symptoms, it’s possible to avoid any critical or emergency breathing treatments, however, for people in a higher-pollutant area, this might prove to be a difficult task.

How can you prevent an asthma attack?

Bathe pets weekly Do not smoke or permit smoking in your home Stay inside with air conditioning when mold or pollen counts are high Wash your bedding & stuffed toys once per week in hot water Wash your hands often Get a flu shot Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose in the winter Be proactive about knowing your “triggers” and avoiding them

Now, with this information in place where does exercise fit in to your asthmatic life? According to Dr. Jack Becker, chief of allergy and asthma at St. Christopher’s in Philadelphia, you shouldn’t give up on sports or exercise at all. You just have to be smart about how you play, and take special precautions to avoid a flare-up.

Nearly all doctors agree that the best way to prevent an attack during exertion (exercise) is to keep the medication (inhaler) close at hand. You shouldn’t use the inhaler more than 3 times during a game or exercise session–at that point, it’s best just to back off and rest a while. Additionally, if you are up the previous night with coughing and wheezing, it’s probably best to go lightly on the exercise the next day.

For something such as Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA), symptoms are slightly different, in that they will appear after about 6-8 minutes of exertion, and are often worse in cold, dry air.

For those with EIA, certain activities are preferred over others:

Swimming: this sport has a warm, humid atmosphere, year-round availability, and upper-body toning. Walking Leisure biking Free downhill skiing (wearing a scarf or surgical mask to help warm the air while inhaling) Team sports that require a short burst of energy are better than those that require more continual activity. Thus, baseball, football, golfing, gymnastics, surfing, or wrestling are preferred over soccer, basketball, field hockey, or long-distance running.

Remember, this condition is not “all in your head,” it is a real, physiological medical condition that requires appropriate treatment. While your doctor can be your biggest ally in treating your asthma, YOU are the one who can most effectively prevent your symptoms. Be smart, take your medication, and be proactive. And don’t let asthma sideline your physical activity–it does a body good!

About the Author

This article provided courtsy of http://www.stop-smoking-solutions.com

Written By: Jeff Slokum

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Jan 26
2007

Air purifiers come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. They also come with a wide variety of technology in which they purify or sterilize the air. They can cost any where from 60 to 1600 dollars and eliminate many different types of air born pollutants, chemicals, odors or allergens. Air born contaminants can be very bad for your health. According to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, they are a major cause of disability in the U.S. There is no cure for allergies, but symptomatic relief is possible. The most effective way to combat air born contaminants is by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens. This same and simple concept works for micro-organisms and microbiological contaminants.

Every time you sit down on the couch, open a door or walk across the rug millions of tiny particles get released into the air. Even the natural air flow of your office or home will pick up tiny mold spores or microbiological particles.

Harmful substances found in the air:

Smoke
Gas
Fungi
Microbiological contaminants
Aerosol
Mold spores
Viruses
Pollen
Bacteria
Drill aerosol (dental office)
Mercury vapor
Dust Mite
Dust

Types of Air Purifier Technology:

Ionizers
Carbon pre-filter (odor removal)
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter)
Intense heat for incineration
Electro statically charged post filter

Air purifiers will help you:

Stay healthier
Sleep more soundly
Work more efficiently
Have more energy
Study more effectively
Be more creative

Air purifiers will help relieve symptoms caused by indoor/outdoor air. Some of these symptoms include red eye, digestive problems, dizziness, chronic fatigue, asthma, congestion, sick building syndrome and many other chronic and acute diseases.

It is important to keep the air you breathe clean and free of contaminants; your respratory system and whole body will thank you for many years to come if you choose to purify your air. Purifiers are made for all different types of room sizes so you can always find one perfect for you. I would suggest finding one that eliminates all types of pollutants. If you’re going to buy an air purifier you might as well buy one that does it all. And as with anything you always get what you pay for.

About the Author

Visit: http://www.central-air-purifiers.info for more info and resources. Tyler D Falls – Tyler writes about various topics. Feel-free to reprint as long as the proper links remain in the article and bio.

Written By: Tyler Falls

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Jan 11
2007

How Not to Kill Mold

We hear about mold in the news all the time. It has been linked with:

* Headaches
* Sinus Infections
* Coughing
* Weakened Immune System
* Dizziness
* Skin Infections
* Ear Infections
* Cancer
* Brain Damage
* ADHD

The toxins (poisons) that the molds create are harmless to humans outdoors where concentrations are low. Indoors, concentrations go up. When the amounts are sufficiently high, the mycotoxins (mold poisons) can make you and your kids sick.

The Arab Oil Embargo of 1972 caused us to tighten up our homes to conserve energy. This has allowed mold toxins to build up even in homes with only a moderate amount of mold colonies. You often aren’t sick enough to go to the doctor when you are infected by mold. You take aspirin for your headaches and decongestants for your sinuses.

But over time these problems get worse. Minor problems with the sinuses turn into inflammatory problems.

Inflammatory problems include:
* Lupus
* Arthritis
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Blood vessel deterioration

There is a more detailed list of molds and the diseases they cause at http://www.themoldlab.com

The most common approach to killing mold is to use bleach. Unfortunately, bleach doesn’t kill mold. It just bleaches it. It takes the color out. The mold is still alive and producing its poisons but we cannot see it.

The EPA, at one point, said to use bleach to get rid of mold on glass and tile surfaces only. However, as of 2002, the EPA does not recommend the use of chlorine bleach. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/i-e-r.html)

Many chemicals that kill mold will burn people’s lungs. This is particularly true for small children. Even EPA approved mold killers do this.

Most, if not all, companies that eliminate mold use these strong chemicals that are very toxic to people with asthma (3 of 7 people according to the American Lung Association). Many people with asthma cannot reenter their own houses if they have been sprayed with commercial fungicides (mold killers). And to add insult to injury, most fungicides are not applied properly so they do not even kill the mold.

There are 100,000′s of different molds. Each causes it own problems; each has its own needs. The trick to killing mold is to know what molds you have and deny them their basic needs. This gets rid of the mold but does not poison the residents.

About the Author

For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat and prevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean environment.

Written By: Dr George W Graham

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Nov 24
2006

Initially used to treat wheezing (Asthma), Ma Huang is an herbal plant with the primary active ingredient being ephedrine. Ephedrine accounts for 80 to 90 percent of the alkaloid content of the Ma Huang plant. Ma Huang is commonly available as a whole plant dried and powdered. Teas, extracts and supplements can also contain Ma Huang.

What is Ma Huang used for?

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ma Huang, or ephedra was used to treat colds, asthma, and other upper-respiratory disorders. Ma Huang helps lessen congestion by opening up bronchial and nasal passages. Ma Huang can also speed up the heart rate, raise blood pressure and have a diuretic affect.

Not surprisingly, several manufacturers developed weight loss pills containing the herb Ma Huang. These Ma Huang weight loss pills were marketed as helping people lose weight, enhancing their athletic performance and boosting energy. Ma Huang users reported feeling far more energy, which allowed them to increase their physical activity resulting in significant weight loss.

What happens if you take Ma Huang?

Most people experience no side effects when consuming a weight loss pill containing Ma Huang, providing the level of Ma Huang is low. However, at high doses, some people had serious enough reactions to Ma Huang to warrant comprehensive public health investigations. Serious side effects of Ma Huang usage include elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and interference with heartbeat rhythm and force. In extremely rare cases, there were reports of cardiac death related to Ma Huang usage.

Although still available and in use in many countries, in December 2003, the United States FDA imposed an Ephedra ban on the sale of all ephedra / Ma Huang containing products. Recently, the U.S. lifted the ban, which will now allow the sale of Ma Huang supplements with a daily dosage of 10mg or less. For order information and public availability visit www.EphedraEnergy.com This is the only company that actually offers the legalized pure form that can be safely taken daily. For more diet and supplemental information, visit our trusted partner site at www.DietWeightLossNews.org

About the Author

Todd Brenner is currently the Executive Vice President of Fitness By Design. He serves on the board for A Healthier America and has 18 years of nutritional experience and natural healing. He holds a Masters in Business from University of Louisville. Copyright 2005

Written By: Todd Brenner, MD

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Sep 4
2006

A room humidifier can help raise the level of humidity or moisture in the air. Increasing the humidity in the home helps eliminate the dry air that can irritate and inflame the respiratory passages in the nose and throat. A room humidifier can help relieve the discomfort of colds and the flu, and help people who suffer from asthma.
When humidified air is breathed in, the water vapor adds moisture to secretions in the upper airway. This makes the secretions more fluid so it may be easier to cough them up. A humidifier can work only for the upper airway. Water vapor droplets made by a humidifier do not usually reach the lower airways, which include the trachea, or windpipe, and the lungs.
In the past, a steam humidifier was commonly used. A newer humidifier, also known as a vaporizer, uses special energy waves to break water down into a vapor. This results in smaller droplets than were possible with a steam humidifier. The energy waves also kill any bacteria or mold that may be in the water or the machine.
A special type of humidifier called a nebulizer can be used to deliver medication to the airway. A nebulizer is often used to treat asthma. It generates smaller water vapor droplets that are able to reach the small airways in the lungs. Certain medications, such as albuterol, can be dissolved in water and given with a nebulizer.
The medications are then able to reach the lungs in greater concentration than if taken by mouth. A new approach is to give some antibiotics by nebulizer. This type of humidifier seems to work very well on lower airway infections in children with cystic fibrosis a serious inherited condition that damages the lungs. A room humidifier may be just the help you need.

About the Author

Home health care supplies and equipment http://www.nutritional-supplement-4u.com/medical_supplies_home_health_care.htm

Written By: Rolf Rasmusson

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